Best Grants for Education Nonprofits in Connecticut

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Connecticut seeking one-time capital support for direct service programs can apply for American Savings Foundation’s ASF Capital Grants, with awards up to US $10,000. With a mission to improve quality of life, the foundation prioritizes projects in New Britain and Waterbury serving children, youth, families, and related human services or arts programs.

Nonprofit tax-exempt organizations working on educational access, vulnerable children, Alzheimer’s research, or environmental projects in Connecticut may be eligible for support, with a particular focus on Fairfield County. Goodnow Fund supports these efforts by offering general operating and project grants and typically identifies and contacts organizations directly about potential funding.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) education and community nonprofits in New London and Windham Counties can seek funding for programs that enhance educational access, job readiness, and community enrichment. Nordson Corporation Foundation provides support for initiatives in education, human welfare, arts and culture, and civic improvement, including both programmatic and general operating needs with measurable outcomes.

Tax-exempt nonprofits serving Northwest Connecticut communities can receive grants up to US $5,000 for education, arts and culture, environment, health, social services, and civic programs. Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation supports both small and traditional grants, including innovative or collaborative projects that benefit residents in its 20-town service area, which includes parts of Connecticut.

Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The FCIDD was founded for the purpose of providing support to organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mission Statement: The Foundation supports organizations which enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting research, projects, education and advocacy. 

Nonprofit Project Grants

The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) funds 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, primarily in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. 

Funding Priorities

• Grants will be awarded for the purpose of primarily benefiting, including, or increasing accessibility for individuals with intellectual or development disabilities.
• Grants may be awarded for scholarships or training personnel in the care and education of individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. 
• Grants shall mainly be distributed to a Charity whose primary purpose or whose project is to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A Charity which has a project to benefit individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities based on financial need shall be awarded the grant money based upon its own objective criteria and without any special preference to members of Civitan or members of their family.

Grant Categories

A grant application typically fits into one of the following categories: Accessibility & Engagement; Educational Spaces; Program Area Improvements; Outreach and Education 

Educational Spaces

For I/DD serving school programs with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) attached needing property improvements or equipment/resource purchases to better serve their students with I/DD.

The FCIDD Nonprofit Project Grants are designed to support 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across various states. Grants are awarded for projects that enhance accessibility, provide educational opportunities, and promote community engagement. The foundation encourages collaboration with local Civitan clubs, particularly in October and March funding rounds, while also offering open applications in July. The initiative aims to empower nonprofits to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Education nonprofits, researchers, farmers, and community partners in Connecticut can seek funding for social science research and education projects that strengthen farming and food systems. Grants from Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education support community-based initiatives in areas like marketing, crop and livestock production, aquaculture, climate and bioenergy, and economic or social sustainability across the Northeast, with awards from US $50,000 - US $250,000.

Nonprofit organizations and schools running community service programs in Connecticut can seek programmatic support that serves local communities. American Honda Foundation supports high-impact initiatives in states where Honda operates, including Connecticut, through its corporate giving and Honda USA Foundation, with an online application window opening each fall and funding decisions announced in the spring.

Education nonprofits and schools in Connecticut offering hands-on manufacturing workforce programs can apply for funding of US $25,000 - US $100,000. Focused on workforce preparation and technical education, American Honda Motor supports initiatives in design, data analytics, AI, automation, and manufacturing engineering that primarily benefit communities where Honda associates live and work.

The Environment Pillar Award by Honda supports nonprofit organizations and schools in the U.S. focused on sustainability. Grants aim to reduce environmental impact through programs in decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient resource use. Eligible projects must align with Honda's mission and primarily benefit communities where Honda associates live and work. Organizations can apply for up to two grants, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria, including tax-exempt status under the IRS.

Education nonprofits and schools in Connecticut working on disability care, assistive technology, or mobility access can apply for Honda USA Foundation’s Mobility Pillar Award, offering US $25,000 - US $100,000 for programmatic support. Funding supports therapeutic or adaptive programs, comprehensive care, and mobility modifications that primarily benefit communities where Honda associates live and work.

The Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation, established in 1973, focuses on educational support for underserved populations in New England. It offers scholarships for employees of the Balfour Company and their families, as well as funding for organizations that provide educational services in Attleboro and surrounding areas. The Foundation prioritizes programs aimed at college readiness and success, particularly for first-generation and low-income students, and encourages multi-year funding requests to enhance nonprofit sustainability.

Nonprofits, municipalities, schools, and religious institutions in Connecticut’s Lower Connecticut River Valley can seek $1,000 - $5,000 for environmental preservation, conservation, restoration, and education projects. Focused on ecosystem protection and sustainability learning, the Rockfall Foundation invites education-focused organizations in eligible towns to fund materials, transportation, program fees, internships, and similar project costs.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) nonprofits, towns, and schools working on environmental education, preservation, conservation, or restoration in the Lower Connecticut River Valley can apply for The Rockfall Foundation’s Environmental Champions Awards; awards US $1,000 - US $5,000 for programs, projects, or capacity-building initiatives. Education-focused nonprofits may benefit if their work advances local environmental understanding or stewardship.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) public charities serving under-served residents with programs or capacity-building projects can seek US $100,000 from Impact 100 Fairfield County. Focused on high-impact human and social services, this grant supports new or expanded initiatives in Fairfield County, including education-related work, for organizations with three years of audited financials and a project budget of at least $100,000.

Connecticut education nonprofits seeking support for capital projects or program costs in Connecticut can access funding through the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority. Grants of US $5,000 - US $75,000 are available to eligible not-for-profit entities, including educational institutions, childcare providers, and related organizations through CHEFA’s Nonprofit Grant Program.

Nonprofits, schools, and public agencies serving Windham, Connecticut residents can seek up to US $8,000 for basic needs programs that build self-sufficiency through education and employment. With a mission to strengthen economic and food security, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut supports efforts that reduce homelessness and increase access to nutritious food, which may benefit education-focused initiatives.

Nonprofits, municipal entities, and fiscally sponsored groups in Connecticut can apply for Connecticut Community Foundation’s Pathways for Older Adults grants, with awards up to US $3,000 for programs serving older adults. Education-focused organizations may be eligible for projects in healthy aging, information access, creative expression, intergenerational learning, and community engagement for seniors.

Connecticut organizations running local environmental projects can receive up to US $2,000 to support initiatives with clear environmental benefits, from clean-ups to environmental education, in Connecticut. The Connecticut Society for Women Environmental Professionals provides this funding, which may benefit education-focused nonprofits incorporating environmental learning or stewardship into their programs.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering youth STEAM education programs can access funding via Cox Communications through the Cox Charities Community Grant Program. Grants of US $5,000 - US $12,000 support youth innovation in science, technology, engineering, arts and math, as well as conservation, sustainability, and inclusion initiatives within Cox’s Connecticut service areas.

Connecticut education and youth-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on children’s mental health and social-emotional learning can access funding through Cigna Foundation for evidence-informed programs in schools and related settings. Grants of US $100,000 - US $150,000 support one-year projects addressing post-pandemic stress for youth ages 5–18, plus their parents, caregivers, and youth service professionals.

Education-focused nonprofits and other 501(c)(3) organizations in Connecticut’s Greater New Haven area can seek up to US $15,000 for gender-specific programs serving women and girls. Focus areas include education, leadership, economic autonomy, and health and wellness, which may benefit education nonprofits supporting women and girl students or entrepreneurs.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits with local youth programming in Connecticut can apply for Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation’s Local Impact Grants to support youth education, STEM/STEAM, youth entrepreneurship, or community engagement initiatives. Eligible organizations must operate within an NBC or Telemundo Connecticut market, meet specific revenue and expense thresholds, and have been in existence for at least one year.

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations and municipalities in Connecticut can apply for Ledyard Rotary Foundation grants up to US $1,000 to enhance education, quality of life, health care access, and social services. Education nonprofits in Ledyard and southeastern Connecticut may be especially competitive, including new, unmet-need initiatives and projects leveraging matching funds.

Arbor Rising Grant, established in 2010, is a NYC-based nonprofit providing unrestricted multi-year funding and capacity-building support to nonprofits focused on alleviating poverty. The grant process occurs every three years, with the next round in 2025 being invitation-only. Eligible organizations must demonstrate high potential and effective leadership, typically operating on a modest budget. Arbor Rising prioritizes applicants from the NYC metro area while expanding to cover the lower 48 US states.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and municipal entities in Connecticut can receive funding for educational equity, youth development, job training, economic security, and related supports that build equitable opportunity. Connecticut Community Foundation’s Building Equitable Opportunity grants, averaging $5,000 - $15,000, may benefit education-focused nonprofits improving pre-K–12 experiences and college/career pathways, especially for marginalized students.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public/governmental units in Connecticut serving males in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, or Wolcott can seek funding for programs in education, leadership, life skills, workforce readiness, and health. Main Street Community Foundation’s Men & Boys' Fund supports future program costs, with limited capital expenses considered when directly tied to these services.